Monday, 20 March 2017

The Return of Wembley Stadium's Transport Blight

The increased number of full scale events plus an unknown number of smaller events are bound to lead to more congestion in the Wembley area. Last time I used the Jubilee line when a weekday match was on the overcrowding stretched from Westminster all the way to Wembley Park. Dozens more events will impose significant extra burdens on residents in terms of littering, ASB and so on.

What gets mentioned less often is the possibility of economic blight for businesses. Constantly impassable roads will make it very hard for non-Stadium related businesses to operate near the Stadium. There is a real risk that, rather than brave the congestion, the customers of the LDO and other outlets will simply go elsewhere. The effect might be to create the monoculture around the old Stadium of gross overcrowding whenever a match is on, combined with dereliction outside those hours. That would be a real step backwards.

I hope therefore, the Planning Committee defers the decision until they have had a chance to analyse the transport impacts thoroughly.

James Powney

James Powney is a former Labour councillor for Kensal Green in the London Borough of Brent. He served from May 2006 to May 2014..
Kensal Green ward includes both Kensal Green and Willesden Junction rail stations. Other landmarks include St Mark's Church, All Souls Church (on Harlesden High Street), Convent of Jesus and Mary Girls School, Newman Catholic College and Furness Primary School.
He tweets @CllrPowney